The Role of miR-330-3p in UV-induced Photokeratitis: A Pilot Experimental Study

Aim: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced ocular diseases pose a growing challenge to public health. In recent years, miRNA-based therapeutics have gained attention in the treatment of ocular diseases. miR-330-3p has anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of miR-330-3p against photokeratitis following UV radiation. Materials and Methods: Eighteen Wistar albino male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6) : control, UV, and UV+eye drop. Chronic exposure to UV radiation was conducted for 30 days, 2 hours a day. One mu l of miR-330-3p-based eye drops was applied to the UV+eye drop group once daily for 7 days. Following the treatments, eye tissues were harvested and evaluated microscopically. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between groups in inflammation, neovascularization, epithelial proliferation, and collagen density parameters. However, the edema levels in the UV group increased compared to the control and UV+eye drop groups (all p < 0.001 ) The collagen density, however, increased in the UV group and decreased in the UV+eye drop group, but the results did not indicate a significant difference (p > 0.05) Conclusion: miR-330-3p presents a promising treatment option for corneal damage arising from photokeratitis. Our study is the first to explore the alleviating effects of miR-330-3p in photokeratitis, yielding encouraging results.